Knight - Sew me! sew and go: easy-to-make totes, tech covers, and other carry-alls

Choly Knight is from Orlando, Florida, and is the author of Sew Kawaii!, Sew Baby, Sewing Stylish Handbags & Totes, Sew Me! Sewing Basics, and Sew Me! Sewing Home Dcor. She has been crafting for as long as she can remember, and has drawn, painted, sculpted, and stitched everything in sight. She began sewing clothing in 1997 and has yet to put her sewing machine away. After studying studio art and earning a BA in English, she now enjoys trying to find numerous different ways to combine her passions for writing, fine art, and craft art. She created all of the designs, projects, and patterns that appear in this book. She focuses on handcrafted clothing, accessories, and other creations inspired by Japanese art, anime, and style, and specializes in cosplay (costume play) hats and hoodies. You can find out more about her and her work on her website: www.cholyknight.com.

If youve picked up this book, then something about sewing accessories for yourself has gotten you excited. Maybe you dream of making fashionable bags worthy of the catwalk, want to personalize your electronic devices with cases in creative colors and prints, have a new sewing machine and want to know how to make it work for you, or simply want to treat yourself and those closest to you to handmade treasures. But with all those lofty ideas in the future, it can seem daunting to take that first step and get going.

I, too, was intimidated by the daunting task of threading the needle. Its hard not to feel scared when setting out to sew your own personal accessories for the first time. What finally convinced me it was worthwhile was my first Home Economics class in middle school. Seeing how a few simple yards of cotton could be transformed into a useful item made me realize the limitless possibilities of sewing. The machine, shears, and needles were only toolsI just had to find out what made them tick and they were mine to control, not to fear.

I know you will feel the same way when you discover all the techniques and tools you can use to create beautiful accessories that perfectly suit your personal taste. Appliqu, zippers, buttons, and interfacing are like paints on your palette, ready to be used on the canvas. And you really cant beat the feeling of making something from nothingtaking plain fabric and turning it into something useful and beautiful with just your two hands and a sewing machine. Soon, youll begin to see raw materials in a whole new light. An old button-down shirt can become a clever purse front or book cover; old scraps of fabric can be sewn into a handy case for your cell phone. Your whole perspective will change when you begin to see the opportunities.

Despite the kind of creativity you can feel while sewing, people often ask me why I bother. Why go through the trouble of sewing when extremely cheap accessories can be found just about anywhere? Its true, the cheapest bag or electronic case on the market cant compare with the cost of sewing for yourself, but there are lots of other reasons to take sewing into your own hands.

After I got a taste of thread and fabric, I realized I didnt have to settle any longer. Its strangely perfect that I learned to sew when I did, because I was already excited about developing my own sense of taste, style, and individuality. Sewing helped me unlock those things to their full potential. While shopping for a bag to match my favorite outfit, I could (almost defiantly) say that, no, I didnt like this seasons colors! And no, I wasnt going to put my tablet in a generic plastic case. I would just make one of my own!